Kenneth Michael Knutson has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault of a peace officer, possession of a firearm while prohibited and discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim, disfigure or endanger life.

Image Credit: Contributed

December 04, 2014 - 2:48 PM

THREE WOMEN ALSO ARRESTED

KAMLOOPS - Kenneth Michael Knutson has been named as the man accused of shooting an RCMP officer on Wednesday morning and will appear in court later this month.

Charges against the 36-year-old, who is well-known to police, include attempted murder, aggravated assault of a peace officer, possession of a firearm while prohibited and discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim, disfigure or endanger life.

The vehicle involved in the traffic stop when Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud was shot has been seized from a home on Raven Drive that the suspect is known to be associated with. Police have been on scene since yesterday.

Cpl. Cheryl Bush said three women have also been arrested, but it is not known what charges they may face. One of the females was arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants.

Michaud was shot Wednesday at 2:45 a.m. when he pulled over a white Intrepid in a 'routine traffic stop.’ A backup officer exchanged gunfire with the suspect, apparently striking him in the arm, before the vehicle took off. The area was under heavy police presence for much of the day as officers searched for Knutson and the vehicle.

Michaud was rushed to hospital where he underwent 'successful' surgery. He remains in critical but stable condition in intensive care and will likely need further surgery.

Knutson will appear in court by video conference on December 18.

Cpl. Jean-René Michaud is still recovering in hospital.

Image Credit: Courtesy Ashcroft-Cache Creek Journal (with permission)

-This story was edited at 5:23 p.m. to include a court date.
-This story was edited at 8:24 p.m. to include a photo of the accused.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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